I’ve spent the last two days with my new family at the offices of Tourism Queensland in Brisbane going through my induction, working out how to use all of the equipment I need and learning the ropes of what will no doubt prove to be the most exciting role I’ve ever been employed for.
The clanging of my alarm clock awoke me from my slumber and the adrenalin for the day coarsed through my veins as I leapt from my pit in the knowledge that it was all about to commence, The Best Job in the World starts here….
….and the media attention starts here too, downstairs into the lobby for the first round of television interviews, then a phone interview, then off to the airport for the press conference. Assembled in the departures area were some familiar faces; the press from the finals back in May had once again gathered to tell the world about the Best Job campaign, but this time I didn’t have the support of the other finalists!
After relaxing in the Virgin lounge, Bre (my girlfriend who’ll be here for the next six months) and I made our way to the departure gate and boarded the flight which would finally take us to paradise and the promised land of the Whitsundays.
Our arrival at Hamilton Island was truly spectacular – talk about a fanfare from the assembled staff from the resort! It really felt as if we’d finally arrived in paradise; the flight over the reef, the view as we came into land and then this – a welcome which left me speechless.
I loved the next part – introducing Bre to Blue Pearl – our new luxury villa for the next six months. Her jaw dropped as we descended the steps into our new luxury apartment. I gave her the guided tour introducing her to the three double rooms and of course the amazing, huge ice dispensing fridge, then ended it off with a dip in our enormous spa on the balcony which looks out over the Coral Sea. There will be plenty of evenings spent here I imagine.
Once the media attention had died down we had half an hour to unpack and redress before heading out to the uber-glamorous Qualia resort; one of the worlds only six star luxury destinations and how it deserves this title. Infinity pools, spotless groomed sands and a view which can only be experienced as a description from me just won’t do it justice.
The welcome dinner was another great experience, the chefs at Qualia produced five courses of exquisite delights and when it was all over Bre and I made our way to the golf buggy and drove through the balmy air for a night of well earned rest at Blue Pearl.
If things continue as they’ve started I’ll be the happiest man on the planet, the most tired man on the planet and maybe even the fattest man on the planet!
170 Comments
congratulations ben. we wish you good luck. we’re going snorkelling next week too.
bye
Good luck Ben, I will be reading each day – you lucky sod! Regards Julie from Tonbridge
it sounds amazing!!!!
its made me miss travelling soooo much and ive decided to repack my bags and head of somewhere, dont know where yet but somewhere to explore and have an adventure…
enjoy every second of it with Bre…you both very lucky and have been given a precious opportunity to do something amazing…i will keep reading and keep up to date with ur blog for sure
all the best and enjoy x
Hi Ben,
Just watched you on BBC1. You were totally the right man for the job. Have a great time and enjoy!
Yo yo dude!
How lucky are you?!
Well done and enjoy it m8, If you ever fancy throwing a sicky give me a shout………
Best regards
ben, just watched the the documentary on the bbc. Such an amazing story and and so glad you achieved the dream job.
All the best and I look forward to keeping in touch with your journey.
Dave. Accrington Stanley, UK.
Hi Ben and Bri
I have just watched the BBC 1 production on your epic journey to this wonderful job and am so so pleased for you! And best of all, to know that Bri will be there with you and what a wonderful way to spend 6mths with the person you love so much! The two of you look so suited for each other and am so confident that this experience will even make you stronger in your love! From the bottom of my heart, I wish you the best time on earth! Keep us posted how it goes!
MA xxxxx
hey ben well done hope your having a good time there and im sure it will only get better with all the amazing animals out there
Wow! Ben you are one lucky man, hope you and your lady have a sensational 6 months. Do get married out there, it would be phenomenal… You guys seem really connected. Enjoy it, I know you will!!!
From someone with the second bestest job in the world. Working from home with my family running http://www.theonlinebeadcompany.co.uk.
To all those reading this, in times of credit crunch. Set up your own business doing something you love, then it truly is the best job in the world!
Wish I had a gorgeous pool though!!!
Congrats Ben im so glad you got the job as you really deserve it especially being a fish!
Im a swimming teacher and a fish also, so if you and your partner ever need to brush on your stroke technique just email me
I would love to go travelling one day with my partner when i have the money!
Ill be following you both on your journeys!
Greetings from heatwave Isleworth!
Just watched the bbc documentary. Your positive outlook and faith did you justice. I fell in love with the islands, you will too! wishing you and Bre the best.
Just seen you on UK TV, had to take a look and see what your up to !!! enjoy but remember Slip, Slap Slop !!!
Congrats Ben – you were the least smarmy/cheesy out of the lot of ‘em. Hope you and Bre have a great time – don’t forget the suncream!
CONGRATS BEN!!!
I have just watched the programme on the BBC and you were definately the guy for the job. You are so down to earth and you could tell you were hungry for it, unlike the others that played up to the cameras. I wish you all the best in your new job and look forward to hearing your blogs!
ENJOY!
Hi Ben, just watched a TV program all about your application process. Looked realy great fun and my wife and I both agree the best person won!
Hope you and Bre have a great time out there and we look forward to reading all abou it here in your blog.
Have fun and make the most of it :-0
Damon & Jem, UK
Hi Ben,
I just saw the documentation on BBC showing the process from start until your selection and return to Britain. Congratulations – Well done! I am really happy that such a really charming, honest, direct and down to earth person like you got that cool job. Hope you and Bre enjoy it! Stay as you are and make the best out of your time there!
Many greeting from strangely hot & sunny London,
Jana
So happy for you Ben and Bre. Just been watching the Beeb documentary and one can’t help but smile at the islands of the GBR. When I finally save enough money, you can be sure Queensland and the South Pacific will be top of my list of places to visit.
Our charity has just helped a little girl from Fiji travel to Brisbane for cancer treatment (She was front page on the Bayside Star yesterday, but I doubt you had time to look at any papers! She’s sold on Queensland too – asked Make A Wish to give her a chance to really enjoy the country that gave her a chance of life and sight. I hope she gets the wish!
Have a wonderful, wonderful time. Live the dream for all of us. You’ve made so many people smile already.
Go well,
Abby.
http://www.daisyseyecancerfund.org
Hi Ben just watched the show and I wish you and your girfriend all the best from Scotland
it felt like you done it all for love too (might just be me that thinks that tho lol) anyway I sent you a twitter thing and good luck again 
Congrats on the job, I’m really looking forward to reading your blogs.
Hey Ben!!! Well done, I just watched the program on BBC1 about your entire campaign. A huge congrats from North Yorkshire, the ever wet UK!!!! Best wishes to you and Bre and I’ll be commenting loads!!! Enjoy yourselves guys!!!
Hii Bec
Just watched the documentary on BBC. Wow how much fun and excitement are you going to have in the next 6 months!!
Congratulations and do the UK proud!
I did mean Ben on there i must of dreamt that it was me there instead of you haha!!
Congratulations! I am a Canadian living in Barnsley with my hubby (who is english) and I had to ask him how come we didn’t end up on the Whitsundays – had to comfort him and tell him Barnsley comes a close second. This campaign has worked for me – will definitely be coming to Oz as soon as we can afford!
Enjoy! We will definitely be keeping up with the blogs.
Hi Ben & Bre,
Congrats on arriving in paradise! I hail from Sunny Townsville North Queensland and am currently enjoying the heat wave in the UK, riding on tubes without air con (bad) and enjoying the long summer nights (good). I just saw the special on the BBC and wanted to wish you both the best of luck.
Look forward to hearing your adventures.
Hi Ben, Know you & Bre will have a great time. Look forward to following your adventures.
Congratulations!
Sorry Bre, spelt your name wrong! My apologies! xXx
congratulations
Just seen the BBC1 Docu about the interview. You are the right guy to be there – a true, genuine and inspirational guy – have a great 6 months – this is the start of the rest of your life.
Good luck to you and your partner,
docburgess
Awesome start Ben and wow Bre there as well m8 what better start could you ask for!
Enjoy and look forward to all your blogs/vids/pics of the place and whats what over there.
Wow. Just watched the BBC programon how you got the job. Well done and have a great time.
Make the most of it. Have loads of fun but don’t embarass yourself and those who choose you. And do try to make us dream while not just have jealousy in our minds….
Wow great start! Congrats Ben! We’ll sure follow your adventures. Lure us to dive in there after you. Have fun fun fun!
Congratulations from Waterlooville, good to see one of our local lads get the job! PUP PPU
Just wanted to wish you and your girlfriend luck, I hope the next six months doesn’t go by too quickly. Just saw the TV programme here Bournemouth in the UK, you were the best man for the job.
Hope the surf is good!
Do put loads of pictures up of it if you can!
Hi Ben, Congratulations to the job!!! I celebrated my 30th sailing in the Whitsundays. It was stunning. Have fun!
Ben is a lucky dude…. But its all a dream for the rest.
But i hope you can enjoy ur life Ben
Well done
Dan, 17, bournemouth Uk
I haven’t seen you since Alton College but this is amazing.
Good on ya mate.
All the best Ben. Love that you have a fellow Canuck with you! Enjoy, laugh a lot and show the world what it’s all about!! If you ever need another Canuck in the house, give me a holler!
p.s. Enjoy Bre!
I will follow your blogs. This is interesting.
Had a vision from god (not really)to return BJ of ACDC back to his home country, to your Island via a 45 foot condo on the water. My sailboat is a bluewater cruiser stationed in Sarasota, Florida.It’s name is WorldsAway, Brians home away from home. Not sure if either of us would have the balls to sail from Sarasota to Australia? Good promotion, if we make it? rrrr.
John Gordon
i think you made more nice and funny photos, dont forget great videos!
WOW !!!! I watched the programme last night on BBC1 with total pleasure, and i have to say that this is and will be, by far the best reality tv documentary yet to be shown. The best person won in the end, and Ben, you were it, and so on behalf of all your friends, family, and genuine well wishers here in the UK, i offer you with great delight our best wishes to yourself and to Bre, with the most happiness and enjoyment you could ever reap out of such an awesome experience.
Happy days xx
Good Luck Lucky Boy
Well done Bud! I saw last night’s programme and was impressed by your aptness for the job. Good achievment. I did something like yours years back, In 1994 I advertised on the Internet and got a job mapping marine habitats in Saudi Arabia. I spent 5 years mapping the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea coral reefs.
My advice is to try to learn as much as possible about marine life and coral reefs in particular. You need to know what stuff if you take people snorkelling as I used to do on Arab dhows in the Gulf.
Also be warned that the biggest shock to your system is not out there it’s going home to Blighty. You’re going to miss bits of Britain you never you existed. But when you get home to those dirty streets you may not want to live there. I don’t, I live in Bavaria in Germany, and I am from north Wales. But I’ve got my satellite dish and PG Tipps!
Good luck with the task. Remember to keep on the job – something I didn’t always do – and enjoy the whole experience. Nice one.
Congrats from Belgium here !!
Congratulations Ben! Haven’t seem you since we worked together at Cowes Week in the champagne tent in 1997, but recognised you on the TV last night – couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy! What an amazing experience! Enjoy!
Well Done Ben, enjoyed the documentary last night and almost applied for the job myself, kind of glad I didn’t waste my time now as watching you it’s evident that you were head and shoulders above the rest, composed, enthusiastic, energetic and articulate. If you ever fancy a couple coming out to see you to lend a hand myself and my partner Danielle would relish the opportunity to experience some of what we saw last night
All the Best from Southport, UK
Hi Ben/Bye Ben….never got to congratulate you or say goodbye!!!! well done babe, kids loving watching you on the telly….hope someone is looking after the ‘Colonel’ for you while your away. Remember us if you decide to host any ‘do’s’ while your there…we’ll come and install graphics wherever!!!
Well done, take care…Stef xx
Enjoyed watching the BBC show last night, best man won. Enjoy your time and hopefully there will be another BBC show at some point showing how you got on.
Hi Ben. I just watched the BBC documentary on it last night. Despite wanting the irish guy to win, myself and my wife had no doubt you were easily the best man for the job. It was great to see you win it. Congratulations!
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